KU Ends SafeRide Program after 30+ Years of Service
Delaney Gregory | @delaney_gregs2
After more than three decades of late-night rides, the University of Kansas has officially discontinued its SafeRide program. KU Transportation Services announced the change on July 25, citing budget constraints, ridership numbers, and complaints about long wait times.
Greta De Vries, a KU transportation official, said the decision came down to funding priorities.
“The information provided to us was that they felt that SafeRide, or the funding, should focus just on supporting academics,” De Vries said.
SafeRide averaged about 1,000 rides per month before being discontinued.
Some students say losing SafeRide means losing a reliable safety net.
“I’m actually super bummed about it, because I don’t understand why we would take something that was such a safe outlook for students to get home, and know they’re getting home at no cost,” KU student Dezi McGhee said.
With SafeRide gone, KU officials say they’re focusing resources on SafeBus, which now operates until 1 a.m.
“SafeBus is what we’re able to do with what funding we have for that program this year,” De Vries said. “I believe we would be the ones offering anything else, and so no, there’s no other service being offered. ”
Other options include the Transit On Demand app and discounted ride-share programs, although some students worry that these alternatives won’t fully match the convenience and accessibility that SafeRide once provided.
